Vatican City
The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the
world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael
Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

Austria
Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital
is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and
incredible history & food. Go Now!

Latvia
Latvia is small, but has a diverse history, foods, and architecture (shown), which
includes aspects from both Eastern and Western Europe. Begin Your
Journey!

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of Austria

Ethnicity

Nearly all of Austria's population is ethnically Austrian,
but this is very similar genetically to what is commonly referred to as "German."
There are numerous ethnic and genetic variations within the German population, both
inside and outside of Germany, but among the German-speaking
people of Germany, Austria, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg there are no genetic
extremes as all are more closely related to each other than they are to other Germanic
people, such as the Dutch.

Today there are a number of minority groups in Austria, particularly in Vienna.
The largest of these groups are ethnic Turks and the people
of what was formerly Yugoslavia (primarily Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, and
Bosniaks).

Language

German is the only official national language in Austria; however
Slovenian, Croatian, and Hungarian
are official languages regionally. The dialect of German
spoken in Austria is understood by other native German speakers,
but it is a distinct dialect similar to the dialect spoken in Bavaria (Germany).

English is the most popular second language in Austria and many people are fluent,
especially in the cities as well as in some businesses, where the language is important
due to international interactions.

Religion

Most Austrians are Catholic, although there is a growing
group of atheists in addition to a Protestant minority.

Catholicism is a Christian religion that is one of the first Christian religions
(founded after the death of Jesus in about 30-33 AD). Catholicism believes that
there is a single God who created everything, a savior, the son of God, Jesus Christ
who is the forgiver of sins, and there is the Holy Spirit, which makes up the last
part of the Holy Trinity. Catholics follow the teachings of the Bible, consisting
of the Old and New Testaments. Much of the faith is based on the life and teachings
of Jesus, which is found in the gospels (in the New Testament).